Controlling Nerves on Interview Day

Interviews can be daunting, evoking a mix of excitement and anxiety. The key to transforming this nervous energy into poised confidence lies in preparation and perspective. This article offers practical advice to stay calm and collected during interviews, ensuring you present the best version of yourself.

Preparation: The Foundation of Confidence

Preparation is paramount. Understanding the role, researching the company, and rehearsing responses to common interview questions can significantly reduce anxiety. Tailor your preparation to the specific interview format, whether in-person, phone, or video, to navigate the unique challenges each presents.

Mental and Physical Wellness

A calm mind resides in a well-cared-for body. Prioritising sleep, nutrition, and exercise in the days leading up to the interview can enhance your mental clarity and emotional resilience.

 

Mindfulness and Breathing Techniques

Practising mindfulness and breathing exercises can be incredibly effective for managing stress. Techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, or even brief meditative practices help centre your thoughts and control your physiological stress response.

Woaman relaxed

Interviews can be daunting, evoking a mix of excitement and anxiety. The key to transforming this nervous energy into poised confidence lies in preparation and perspective. This article offers practical advice to stay calm and collected during interviews, ensuring you present the best version of yourself.

Preparation: The Foundation of Confidence

Preparation is paramount. Understanding the role, researching the company, and rehearsing responses to common interview questions can significantly reduce anxiety. Tailor your preparation to the specific interview format, whether in-person, phone, or video, to navigate the unique challenges each presents.

Mental and Physical Wellness

A calm mind resides in a well-cared-for body. Prioritising sleep, nutrition, and exercise in the days leading up to the interview can enhance your mental clarity and emotional resilience.

 

Mindfulness and Breathing Techniques

Practising mindfulness and breathing exercises can be incredibly effective for managing stress. Techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, or even brief meditative practices help centre your thoughts and control your physiological stress response.

During the Interview: Strategies for Maintaining Composure

Pause Before Responding

Taking a moment to collect your thoughts before answering questions can help maintain a sense of control.

Maintain Positive Body Language

Adopting a posture that conveys confidence and openness can actually enhance your feeling of calm.

Focus on the Conversation

Treat the interview as a two-way dialogue rather than an interrogation to foster a more relaxed and engaging interaction.

Post Interview Reflection

After the interview, take time to reflect on your performance and note areas for improvement. This reflective practice not only aids in personal development but also helps demystify the interview process over time, reducing future anxiety.

Conclusion

Staying calm during an interview is a skill that can be developed through mindful preparation, self-care, and practice. By employing these strategies, you can navigate the interview process with confidence, showcasing your abilities and making a memorable impression on your potential employers. Remember, each interview is an opportunity for growth, regardless of the outcome.

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Controlling Nerves on Interview Day
2024-02-01T10:58:57+00:00
Declan Hemingway
Bethanie Stimpson SRSCC

Bethanie Stimpson

Progress Mentor

Bethanie began her career in the fitness industry, working as a personal trainer and gym instructor before becoming involved in coaching children through a triathlon club. This experience sparked her passion for working with young people and ultimately led her into a career in education. She initially worked in a nursery and later as a one-to-one teaching assistant in a primary school, before completing her teaching qualification and postgraduate studies. Since then, Bethanie has taught in both the private and state education sectors.

Her academic background includes a qualification in Sports Development, Fitness and Coaching at college, alongside a Childhood & Youth undergraduate degree (2:1). These studies have enabled her to combine her interests in sport, education, and child development, shaping her holistic approach to teaching and mentoring.

Bethanie is passionate about supporting learners to achieve their goals — educationally, personally, and in terms of wellbeing. She places strong emphasis on communication and relationship building, and takes great pride in helping individuals build confidence and overcome challenges. One of her proudest achievements has been supporting learners who initially doubted themselves to grow in confidence and achieve success.

Outside of work, Bethanie has always maintained a strong interest in sport. She previously competed in triathlons and now focuses on running and swimming. In 2023, she completed the London Marathon — an achievement she is particularly proud of. She also enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their two dogs, which is where she is happiest when not working.

Jazz Bachra SRSCC

Jazz Bachra

Apprenticeship Skills Coach

With over fifteen years of experience in leadership and learning development, Jazz is an accomplished coach and mentor who is passionate about helping individuals achieve their full potential.

He specialises in delivering customer-focused strategies that drive brand differentiation and sustainable business growth, built on a foundation of colleague engagement and continuous learning.
Jazz holds a BA (Hons) in Micro Computing Business Applications from the British Columbian Institute of Technology and a BTEC National Diploma in Business and Computing from London College. He has also achieved a range of professional qualifications, including Education and Training Level 3, and multiple apprenticeship standards such as Operations Manager Level 5, Retail Manager Level 4, and Team Leader Level 3.

Throughout his career, Jazz has developed and inspired high-performing teams across a variety of sectors, creating environments that encourage accountability, growth, and collaboration. His experience includes designing and delivering impactful training programmes, coaching learners to distinction-level results, and building meaningful partnerships with organisations nationwide.

Outside of work, Jazz enjoys keeping active at the gym, playing football, travelling having previously lived in Vancouver, Canada and listening to a wide range of music. He also enjoys relaxing with a good film.

Jack Callaghan

Jack Moore

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In December 2023, Jack joined SRSCC as an Operations Coordinator and quickly established himself as a key member of the team.

Promoted to Team Leader in October 2024, Jack utilises his expertise in auditing processes and innovative problem-solving to identify and enhance growth opportunities.

Jack possesses a strong ability to analyse and refine systems and procedures, consistently uncovering chances for streamlining and automation that drive operational efficiency. He excels at communicating complex ideas with clarity and precision.

Detail-oriented yet big-picture focused, Jack applies his exceptional organisational skills to ensure the team adopts the most effective strategies for achieving both individual and collective goals.

His methodical approach and strategic mindset make Jack an invaluable asset to SRSCC, significantly contributing to the team’s success and the realisation of organisational objectives.